Adjustable two-speed two-stroke agitator



Get. 21, 1969 A. MASON 3,473,351

ADJUSTABLE TWO-SPEED TWO-STROKE AGITATOR Filed Sept. 11, 1967 4Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR A/V7H0 V Y M4 5 ON By ATTORNEYS Oct. 21, 1969 A.MASON ADJUSTABLE TWO-SPEED TWO-STROKE AGITATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet FiledSept. 11, 1967 WW m mm w r W M r v hm. Mm a a: 5 H 4 \\\\%i k 5 r u \N\\\NI & %W 9 J/ H H v I 3 rll. I

Oct. 21, 1969 A. MASON ADJUSTABLE TWO-SPEED TWO-STROKE AGITATOR FiledSept. 11. 19s? 4 Sheets-Sheet F I XVENTOR.

/ /v7/ 0/v MASON ATTORNEYS Oct. 21, 1969 A. MASON 3, 7

ADJUSTABLE TWO-SPEED TWO-STROKE AGITATOR Filed Sept. 11, 1967 4Sheets-Sheet 4 3y ATTORNEYS United States Patent Int. Cl. D06f 13/02 US.11. 68133 27 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A drive mechanism for alaundry applicance agitator employing a planetary gear mechanism whichenables the agitation action to be adjusted for both agitation speed andstroke length simultaneously, thereby affording either a long vigorousstroke or a short gentle stroke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to thefield of agitator type washing machines and more particularly to suchmachines having means for varying the level of agitation produced by theagitator.

Agitation type washing machines having means for varying the level ofagitation are desirable since some laundry materials are capable ofwithstanding a vigorous washing action while others are best launderedwith a more gentle washing action. For action, heavy work clothes mayrequire a high level of agitation and turbulence to provide thoroughlaundering, whereas lighter materials such as lingerie not only requireless agitation but may be damaged if subjected to a vigorous washingaction.

In agitation type washing machines the agitator is oscillated back andforth about an axis of rotation by a drive shaft which also oscillatesabout a fixed axis. The drive shaft is usually oscillated at fixedagitation speed and stroke length by means of a drive arrangementincluding a constant speed electric motor and a drive coupling betweenthe motor and the drive shaft which converts the constant-speed rotarymotion of the motor to a constant-frequency oscillating motion of thedrive shaft.

The prior art discloses coupling connections between the drive shaft andthe agitator for varying the oscillating motion of the agitator withrespect to that of the drive shaft to provide both vigorous and gentlewashing actions. See, for example, Worst US. Patent No. 3,213,651. Insuch arrangements, however, the agitator is not driven continuously bythe drive shaft through the full stroke of the drive shaft except whenthe agitator is directly coupled to the shaft for joint oscillation.Further, even though the stroke of the agitator may be varied withrespect to the stroke of the drive shaft the speed of the agitator isnot varied commensurately. As a consequence, variations in the level ofagitation are accomplished only by varying the stroke of the agitatorrather than by varying both the agitation speed and the stroke lengthsimultaneously.

Where the agitator is not driven continuously by the drive shaft heavyimpact forces are placed not only on the agitator, the drive shaft andthe other driving components, but also on the laundry material. Wherethe agitation speed is not reduced commensurately with a reduction ofagitator stroke the laundry material is subjected to short, choppy orjerky strokes of the agitator, rather than to short, gentle strokes.

By means of the present invention not only is the agitator continuouslydriven through the full stroke of the drive shaft during both vigorousand gentle washing cycles, but also the agitation speed is reduced inproportion to a reduction in the length of stroke of the agitator duringgentle wash cycles.

Patented Oct. 21, 1969 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventionmay be briefly summarized as comprising a washing machine having a driveshaft, means for rotationally oscillating the drive shaft at a givenfrequency, through a given stroke and with a given amplitude of speed,an agitator rotationally oscillatable relative to the drive shaft anddrive coupling means between the drive shaft and the agitator foroscillating the agitator in unison with the drive shaft, said drivecoupling means having means shiftable between a first position fordriving said agitator through a first stroke and with a first amplitudeof speed and a second position for driving the agitator through a secondstroke and with a second amplitude of speed, at least one of said firstand second amplitudes of speed being different from said given amplitudeof speed.

The drive coupling is adapted to continously drive the agitator from thedrive shaft through the full stroke of the drive shaft to avoid impactforces. The shiftable means comprises a gear block movable axially withrespect to the common axis of rotation of the drive shaft in theagitator. A cap rotatably mounted on the drive shaft is connected to thegear block for easily and conveniently shifting the gear block betweenthe first and second positions in response to the rotation of the cap.

Other features of the drive coupling include a pair of axially spacedgears connected to the drive shaft for joint oscillation therewith. Aplurality of planetary gears are situated about the periphery of thedrive shaft and are journalled for rotation relative to the drive shafton axes parallel to the drive shaft axis. The planetary gears are incontinuous meshing engagement with the lower of the axially spaced gearsand when the gear block is in the first position thereof it meshinglyengages the planetary gears, either directly or through a gear sleeve.The gear block is connected to the agitator for joint oscillation, andin the first position of the gear block the agitator is driven by thedrive shaft through the planetary gears and the gear block. In thesecond position, the gear block meshes with the upper axially spacedgear and the agitator is effectively driven directly by the drive shaft.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a drivecoupling for connecting the drive shaft and the agitator of an agitatortype washing machine whereby the agitator may be driven either at thesame frequency through the same stroke and with the same amplitude ofspeed as is the drive shaft, or may be driven at the same frequency asis the drive shaft but through a different stroke and with a differentamplitude of speed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an agitator typewashing machine including the above described drive coupling whereby thedrive shaft is in continuous driving relation with the agitator throughthe full stroke of the drive shaft even though the stroke and speed ofthe agitator is less than the stroke and speed of the drive shaft.

Another object of the invention is to confer upon an agitator typewashing machine the ability to launder lighter and more fragile fabricwith a more gentle washing action. Another object is to provide meansfor easily and conveniently shifting between a vigorous and a gentlewashing action.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gear couplingbetween the drive shaft and the agitator whereby the agitator may beeither driven directly by the drive shaft or through reduction gears toreduce the stroke and amplitude of speed of oscillation of the agitatorwhile maintaining the same frequency of oscillation.

Another object is to provide such a gear coupling with means for easilyshifting the gears to change the driving relation between the driveshaft and the agitator.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the presentinvention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon makingreference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanyingsheets of the drawings, in which preferred structural embodimentsincorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by wayof illustrative example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a front elevational viewof an agitation type washing machine constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention with portions thereof cut away toshow the relative disposition of parts.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the driveshaft and agitator of the machine shown in FIGURE 1 and a drive couplingfor connecting the drive shaft and the agitator in driving relation.

FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGURE 2 but shows the drive coupling arranged tooscillate the agitator through a stroke and with an amplitude of speedless than that of the drive shaft.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines IVIV of FIGURE2.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodimentof the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines VIIVII ofFIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodimentof the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines IX-IX ofFIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodimentof the invention.

FIGURES 12 and 13 are horizontal sectional view taken along linesXII-XII and XIII-XIII, respectively.

DESCRPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Although the principles of thepresent invention are of utility in any variable speed couplingarrangement which connects an oscillating driving member to a drivenmember the invention finds particular utility in interconnecting thedrive shaft and the agitator of an agitator type washing machine, and anembodiment of such a washing machine incorporating the principles of thepresent invention is indicated generally at reference numeral in FIG-URE 1.

The washing machine 20 may be more particularly characterized ascomprising a cabinet 21 supported on a plurality of leveling legs asindicated at 22 and having stationarily mounted therewith an imperforatetub 23. A perforate washing drum 24 in which the fabric or material tobe laundered is loaded is disposed concentrically within the tub 23.

During a washing cycle the laundry material as well as the laundryliquid within the washing drum 24 is agitated by means of an agitatorindicated generally at reference numeral 27. The agitator oscillatesrotationally on a vertical axis and is driven by a drive shaft 28 whichextends upwardly from a lower portion 29 of the cabinet 21 throughvertically registered apertures formed in bottom walls 29 and 30 of thetub 23 of the washing drum 24, respectively. Suitable drive meansincluding an electric motor for oscillating the drive shaft 28 about itsvertical axis at a constant frequency, through a constant stroke andwith a constant amplitude of speed is housed in the lower portion 29 ofthe cabinet 21.

As used herein, frequency may be defined as the number of oscilaltionsper unit of time. Stroke is defined as the angle through which the driveshaft 28 turns as it oscillates between the extreme positions thereofand amplitude of speed is defined as the maximum angular velocity of thedrive shaft 28 as its oscillates between the extreme positions thereof.

The agitator 27 is provided with a plurality of agitation vanes, one ofwhich is indicated at reference numeral 31. The agitation vanes 31function if the nature of paddles to agitate the laundry liquid and thelaundry material in the washing drum 24 and to create turbulence toprovide a thorough cleansing action.

Depending upon the type of laundered material being washed, it may bedesirable to subject the material to a more or less intensive agitationaction. As used herein, the term agitation level refers to the intensityof the agitation action to which the laundered material is subjected.

In order to vary the agitation level of the washing machine 20 theagitator 27 is connected in driving relation to the drive shaft 28 bymeans of a coupling adapted to oscillate the agitator 27 at a frequencyidentical to the frequency of the drive shaft 28 but through a strokeand with an amplitude of speed which may be equal to or less than thestroke and amplitude of speed of the drive shaft 28. Thus the couplingis adapted to provide agitation levels which correspond either to avigorous or a gentle washing action.

This particular coupling arrangement finds particular utility in thefield of agitator type washing machines since, in reducing the agitationlevel to provide a gentle washing action not only is the stroke or theangle through which the agitator 27 travels reduced, but correspondinglythe amplitude of speed of the agitator 27 is also reduced.

Furthermore the drive shaft-agitator coupling of the present inventioncontinuously connects the drive shaft 28 to the agitator 27 through thefull stroke of the drive shaft 28 regardless of the stroke of theagitator 27, thereby not only avoiding short, choppy movements of theagitator 27, but also avoiding impact forces between the drive shaft 28and the agitator 27 as the drive shaft 28 oscillates.

Referring to FIGURES 2-4, one embodiment of the drive shaft-agitatorcoupling constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention is indicated generally at reference numeral 32. The coupling32 may be more particularly characterized as comprising a pair ofaxially spaced gears or gear rings 33 and 34 formed on a gear member 36which is connected for joint oscillation to a splined end 37 of thedrive shaft 28. A plurality of planetary gears indicated at referencenumeral 38 are journalled for rotation on a plurality of supportingposts 35 supported on a collar 39. The collar 39 is adapted to remainstationary as the drive shaft 28 oscillates during a washing cycle. Theplanetary gears 38 surround and meshingly engage the lower axiallyspaced gear 33 of the gear member 36. Thus the planetary gears 38rotationally oscillate about their vertical axes in response tooscillation of the drive shaft 28. A gear block 40 circumferentiallysurrounds the gear member 36 and has formed thereon a pair of gears 41and 42. The teeth of gear 41 extend radially and surround and areadapted for meshing engagement with the planetary gears 38. The teeth ofgear 42 extend axially in axial alignment with the gear 34 formed on thegear member 36 and are adapted for meshing engagement therewith.

The gear block 40 is connected to the agitator 27 for joint oscillatorymovement. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2-4, the gear block 40 isalso connected to the agitator 27 for joint axial movement and is, infact, formed integrally with the agitator 27.

The gear member 36 comprises a cylindrical peripheral wall 43 and thegear block 40 comprises an inner cylindrical wall 44. A bushing 46 isdisposed between the cylindrical walls 43 and 44 to provide for goodrelative rotation between the gear member 36 and the gear block 40.

In the position of the gear block 40 shown in FIGURE 2 the gear 42thereof is in meshing engagement with the gear 34 of the gear member 36,and the gear 41 thereof is out of meshing engagement with the planetarygears 38. In this position of the gear block 40 the agitator 27 is ineffect directly coupled to the drive shaft 28 and will oscillate at thesame frequency, through the same stroke and with the same amplitude ofspeed as the drive shaft 28. Thus the disposition of the gear block 40is as shown in FIGURE 2 during a vigorous washing action of the washingmachine 20.

In the position of the gear block 40 shown in FIGURE 3 gear 42 is movedout of meshing engagement with gear 34 but gear 41 has moved intoengagement with the planetary gears 38. As a result of the differencebetween the pitch diameters of gears 33 and 41, the agitator 27 willoscillate at the same frequency as the drive shaft 28 but through astroke and with an amplitude of speed which is less than that of thedrive shaft 28 in proportion to this difference in pitch diameters.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 2-4, the gear block 40 is movedaxially alternatively between the two positions thereof by means ofhelical threads 47 formed on an outer wall 48 of the gear block 40 whichengage complemental threads 49 formed on an axially extendingcylindrical wall 50 of an adjustment cap 51. The cap 51 is mounted onthe upper end 37 of the drive shaft 28 for relative rotation therewithby means of a fastener 52 which is threaded as at 52' to prevent axialmovement of the cap 51 relative to the drive shaft 28. As shown inFIGURE 1, the cap 51 is readily accessible to the operator of thewashing machine 20 and is merely rotated in opposite directions to raiseand lower the gear block 40 between the two positions thereof forchanging the agitation level of the washing machine 20 to provide eithera vigorous or a gentle washing action.

Another embodiment of the coupling between the drive shaft and theagitator is shown in FIGURES 5-7. Parts similar to those shown inFIGURES 2-4 are indicated with similar reference numerals with thesufiix :1 added.

In this embodiment the agitator 27a further comprises a cylindrical wall53 and a radial upper end wall 54 supported for relative rotation on anupper end wall 56 of the gear member 36a. An inner wall 57 of theadjustment cap 51a is also shaped cylindrically and circumferentiallysurrounds wall 53 of the agitator 27a.

This embodiment also differs from the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2-4 inthat the gear block 40a is not formed integrally with the agitator 27abut instead comprises a separate member. An outer peripheral wall 48a ofthe gear block 40a is splined with a cylindrical wall 53 of the agitator27a for joint oscillation of the gear block 40a in the agitator 27a butfor relative axial movement between the two.

Also in this embodiment the sleeve 46a, which is adapted to rotaterelative to the gear member 36a, and thus to the drive shaft 2811,further comprises a radially outwardly extending wall 59 on which a gear60 is formed and an axially extending wall 61 on which a gear '62 isformed. The gear sleeve 46a is prevented from axial movement relative tothe gear member 36a by means of a locking ring 63 disposed in radiallyaligned grooves 64 and 66 formed respectively in the gear member 36a andthe gear sleeve 46a.

The gear block 40a, in addition to having the gear 42a formed at theupper end thereof, additionally comprises an axially aligned gear 67formed at the lower end thereof. The gear block 40a is, of course,relatively rotatable with respect to the gear member 36a.

The gear sleeve 46a continuously oscillates during 05- cillation of thedrive shaft 28:: since the gear 62 is in constant meshing engagementwith planetary gears 38a. In the position of the gear block 40a shown inFIGURE 5 the gear '67 of the gear block 40a is in meshing engagementwith the gear 60 of the gear sleeve 46a, and thus the agitator 27a willoscillate at the same frequency as the drive shaft 284: but through astroke with an amplitude of speed which is less than the drive shaft 28ain proportion to the difference in pitch diameters of gear 33a, formedon gear member 36a, and gear 62 formed on the gear sleeve 46a.

When the gear block 40a is raised to an upper limiting position thereof,the gear 42a meshes with gear 34a of the gear member 36a, and since thegear block 40a is splined for joint oscillation with the agitator 27a,the agitator will oscillate at the same frequency, through the samestroke and with the same amplitude of speed as the shaft 28a and, ineffect, the agitator 27a is directly connected to the drive shaft 28a.

The gear block 40a is moved between the lower and upper positionsthereof by means of a radially extending adjustment pin 68 which isconnected in fixed assembly to and which extends through the cylindricalwall a of the cap 51a. The pin 68 also extends through a circumferentially elongated slot 69 formed in the cylindrical wall 53 of theagitator 27a and is received in an arcuately shaped somewhat axiallyinclined slot 70 formed in the outer wall 48a of the gear block 40a.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the slots 69 and 70 are so constructed andarranged in the cylindrical Wall 53 and the gear block 40a so thatportions thereof through which the pin 68 extends are in radial registrywith one another. Rotation of the adjustment cap 51a has the effect ofmoving the pin 68 about the axis of the cap 51a in a plane extendingradially thereof and through the circumferentially extending slot 69formed in the cylindrical wall 53 of the agitator 27a. Such rotation ofthe cap 51a has the effect of raising or lowering the gear block 40a asa result of the axial inclination of the slot 70 formed therein.

Thus, rotation of the cap 51a in one direction serves to couple thedrive shaft 28a directly to the agitator 27a to provide a high agitationlevel and a vigorous washing action, whereas rotation in an oppositedirection couples the drive shaft to the agitator through gears whichprovide a low agitation level and a gentle washing action.

Another embodiment of the coupling connection between the drive shaftand the agitator is shown in FIG- URES 8-10, wherein parts similar tothose shown in FIGURES 2-4 are indicated by similar reference numeralswith the sufiix b added.

In this embodiment an outer peripheral Wall 48a of gear block 40b issplined with the cylindrical wall 53b of the agitator 27b for axialmovement relative to and for oscillatory movement jointly with theagitator 27b. Gears 41b and 4217 are formed at the lower and upper endsof the gear block 40b for respective meshing engagement alternativelywith the planetary gears 38b and with gear 34b formed on the gear member36b. The gear block 4% is, of course, rotatable relative to the gearmember 36b and as it is shifted axialy between the lower and upperpositions thereof the agitator 27b is oscillated either through areduced stroke and with a reduced amplitude of speed or through the samestroke and with the same amplitude of speed relative to the drive shaft28b.

The arrangement for shifting the gear block 40b axially between the twopositions thereof is similar to the arrangement shown in FIGURES 5-7.Accordingly the pin 68b is fixedly secured to the cylindrical wall 50bof the adjustment cap 51b and extends through the circumferentiallyelongated slot 69b into an arcuately shaped axially inclined slot 70bformed in the peripheral wall 48b of the gear block 4012. As theadjustment cap 51b is rotated the gear block 40b is shifted axiallybetween the lower position thereof as shown in FIGURE 8 wherein the gearblock 40b and thus the agitator 27b are oscillated through the planetarygears 38b, to an upper position thereof at which the gear 42b mesheswith gear 34b and the agitator 27b is effectively directly driven by thedrive shaft 28b.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGURES 10-13. In these figures partssimilar to those of the other em- 7 bodiments are designated by similarreference numerals with the sufiix added.

In this embodiment the gear member 36c is splined to the end portion 37cof the drive shaft 280 and a radial flange 72 is geared at 73 to themember 360 for joint oscillation. A gear sleeve 46c surrounds the gearmember 36c for relative rotation therewith and has formed thereon gears62c and 600 for meshing engagement with the planetary gears 38c and thelower gear 67c of the gear block 400, respectively.

This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG- URES 7 with respectto the interposition of the gear sleeve 460 between the planetary gears38c and the gear block 400, and is similar to the embodiment shown inFIGURES 2-4 with respect to the formation of the gear block 400integrally with the agitator 270.

As the gear 'block 400 is shifted axially between the position thereofshown in FIGURE 11 to a raised position at which the gear 420 mesheswith gear 34c, the stroke and amplitude of speed of the agitator 270increase to the stroke and amplitude of the speed of the drive shaft280. The gear block 400 is shifted axially by means of the pin 680 whichis fixed to the cylindrical wall 50c of the adjustment cap 51c and whichextends into an arcuately shaped axially inclined groove 700 opening tothe peripheral wall 480 of the gear block 400. Rotation of theadjustment cap 510 about the axis of the drive shaft 28c serves to shiftthe gear block 400 between the lower and upper positions thereof. In allof the embodiments illustrated the agitator is connected in continuousdriving relation with the drive shaft through the complete stroke of thedrive shaft regardless of the stroke of the agitator. Furthermore, areduction in the stroke through which the agitator oscillates isaccompanied by a corresponding reduction in the amplitude of speed ofthe agitator, thus not only avoiding high impact forces between thedrive shaft and the agitator but also providing a more desirable washingaction.

Although minor modifications might be suggested 'by those versed in theart, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope ofthe patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably comewithin the scope of my invention contribution to the art.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. In an agitator washingmachine, in combination,

a drive shaft rotatably oscillatable on an axis and adapted forconnection to drive means for rotatably oscillating said drive shaft ata given frequency and through a given stroke,

agitator means oscillatable on an axis, and

coupling means between said drive shaft and said agitator means foroscillating said agitator means simultaneously with said drive shaft andcomprising a first actuatable coupling connection" for driving saidagitator means through a first stroke at said given frequency,

a second actuatable coupling connection for continuously driving saidagitator means through a second stroke at said given frequency as saiddrive shaft oscillates through said given stroke, and

means for alternatively actuating said first and second couplingconnections.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and secondcoupling connections together comprise first and second gear means fixedon said drive shaft and said agitator means, respectively, and whereinsaid first and second coupling connection actuating means comprisesspeed changer gear means for drivingly interconnecting said first andsecond gear means and for varying the gear ratio therebetween.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first gear meanscomprises a pair of spaced gears and said speed changer gear meanscomprises a planetary gear engageable with one of said spaced gears anda gear block connected for joint rotation to said agitator means andshiftable between two positions for alternatively driving said agitatormeans from the other of said spaced gears through said first stroke andfor driving said agitator means from said planetary gear through saidsecond stroke.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said planetary gear isjournalled for rotation on a fixed axis and is in constant meshingengagement with said one of said spaced gears.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said gear block comprisesa pair of spaced gear block gears driven respectively by said other ofsaid spaced gears and by said planetary gears in said two positions ofsaid gear block.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said gears of said firstgear means are spaced axially with respect to said drive shaft and saidgear block shifts axially with respect to said drive shaft between saidtwo positions thereof.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said gear block issecured to said agitator means for joint axial movement thereof relativeto said drive shaft.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 including means for axiallyshifting said agitator means relative to said drive shaft.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said gear block issecured to said agitator means for relative axial movement therebetween.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 and including means for axiallyshifting said gear block relative to said drive shaft and said agitatormeans.

11. In a washing machine,

a drive shaft rotatably oscillatable on an axis and adapted forconnection to drive means for rotatably oscillating said drive shaftthrough a given stroke and with a given amplitude of speed,

agitator means including an agitator oscillatable on an axis, and

positive drive coupling means between said drive shaft and said agitatormeans for oscillating said agitator simultaneously with said driveshaft,

said drive coupling means having means shiftable between a firstposition for continuously driving said agitator through a first strokeand with a first amplitude of speed and a second position forcontinuously driving said agitator through a second stroke and with asecond amplitude of speed,

at least one of said first and second amplitudes of speed beingdifferent from said given amplitude of speed.

12. The washing machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said first strokeand said first amplitude of speed are equal to said given stroke andsaid given amplitude of speed, respectively.

13. The washing machine as defined in claim 11 wherein said secondstroke and said second amplitude of speed are less than said givenstroke and said given amplitude of speed, respectively.

14. An agitator assembly for a washing machine comprising a drive shaftand an agitator each journalled for oscillation on an axis of rotation,

said drive shaft being adapted for connection to drive means forrotatably oscillating said drive shaft through a given stroke and with agiven amplitude of speed, and

coupling means for positively interconnecting said drive shaft and saidagitator for oscillating said agitator alternatively through said givenstroke and with said given amplitude of speed and through a stroke andwith said amplitude of speed different from said given stroke andamplitude of speed.

15. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said couplingmeans comprises,

first and second axially spaced gears connected to said drive shaft forjoint oscillation therewith,

a planetary gear in meshing engagement with said first of said gears,and

a gear block connected to said agitator for joint oscillation therewithand shiftable between a first position at which said gear block is indriven relation with said planetary gear and a second position at whichsaid gear block is in driven relation with said second of said axiallyspaced gears.

16. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said first andsecond gears have axes of rotation which are aligned with the axis ofsaid drive shaft and the axis of said planetary gears are disposed inspaced parallel relation to the axis of said drive shaft.

17. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 16 and including,

guide means for guiding said gear block axially between said first andsecond positions,

said gear block being connected in fixed assembly to said agitator,

a cap mounted on said drive shaft for rotation about the axis of saiddrive shaft, and

cooperating threads formed on said cap and said agitator for moving saidagitator axially to move said gear block between said first and secondpositions thereof.

18. An agitator assembly for a washing machine comprising a drive shaftand an agitator journalled for relative rotation on a common axis,

said drive shaft being adapted for connection to drive means forrotatably oscillating said drive shaft about said axis at a givenfrequency and through a given stroke,

a gear assembly coupled between said drive shaft and said agitatorincluding a gear block shiftable axially between a first position atwhich said drive shaft oscillates said agitator at said given frequencyand through a first stroke and a second position at which said driveshaft oscillates said agitator at said given frequency and through asecond stroke,

a cap rotatably mounted on said drive shaft, and

means operatively connecting said cap and said gear block for shiftingsaid gear block axially between said first and second positions inresponse to rotation of said cap.

19. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 18 including means lockingsaid cap against axial movement relative to said drive shaft.

20. The agitator assembly as defined in including,

means connecting said gear block to said agitator for joint oscillationtherewith.

21. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 20 wherein said gearassembly comprises,

a pair of axially spaced gears connected to said drive shaft for jointoscillation therewith, and

a planetary gear journalled for rotation relative to said drive shaftand in meshing engagement with one of said axially spaced gears,

said agitator being dirven through said planetary gear in said firstposition of said gear block and through the other of said axially spacedgears in the second position of said gear block.

22. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 21 Wherein said gear blockis connected to said agitator for joint axial movement therewith andincluding,

complemcntal threads formed on said cap and on said agitator for movingsaid agitator and said gear block between said first and secondpositions as said cap is rotated.

claim 19 and 23. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 21 whereinsaid gear block is connected to said agitator for relative axialmovement therebetween,

said agitator comprising an axially extending wall and aclilrcumferential slot extending radially through said wa said gearblock comprising an axially extending wall adjacent said agitator walland a cooperating arcuately shalped axially inclined slot formed in saidgear block wa said slots being constructed and arranged so that portionsthereof are in registry with one another, and including a pin mounted onsaid cap for joint rotation therewith and extending radially throughsaid registered portion of said agitator wall slot and into siaidregistered portion of said gear block wall s ot,

whereby said gear block is moved axially between said first and secondpositions in response to rotation of said cap.

' 24. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said gearblock is connected to said agitator for joint axial movement therewith,

said agitator comprising an axially extending cylindrical wall and aradially extending axially inclined slot formed in said Wall, andincluding a pin mounted on said cap for joint rotation therewith andextending radially into said slot whereby said gear block is movedaxially between said first and second positions in response to rotationof said cap.

25. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 24 and including,

a gear sleeve concentrically disposed and relatively rotatable withrespect to said drive shaft and circumferentially surrounding saidplanetary gear,

first and second gears formed on said gear sleeve,

said first gear on said gear sleeve being in meshing engagement withsaid planetary gear, and

first and second gears formed on said gear block,

said first gear on said gear block being in meshing engagement with saidsecond gear on said gear sleeve in said first position of said gearblock and said second gear on said gear block being in meshingengagement with said other of said axially spaced gears in said secondposition of said gear block.

26. The agitator assembly a defined in claim 24 and including first andsecond gears formed on said gear block,

said first gear block gear being arranged in driven relation with saidplanetary gear in said first position of said gear block, and

said second gear block gear being arranged in driven relation with saidother of said axially spaced gears in the second position of said gearblock.

27. The agitator assembly as defined in claim 26 wherein said first gearon said gear block is disposed in circumferentially surrounding relationto said planetary gear.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,010 3/1931 Schuyler 681331,175,618 3/1916 Dewey 68-136 1,646,174 10/1927 Szekely 68-133 XR1,755,419 4/1930 Anderson 68-133 1,965,183 7/1934 Getz 68-133 2,002,5735/1935 Green 68133 2,098,075 11/1937 Watts 68133 XR 2,270,080 1/ 1942Oakley. 2,273,566 2/1942 Faber 68133 2,361,767 10/1944 Hays 68133 XR2,487,253 11/1949 Lyle et al. 68-433 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner

